It's summer, which means you're probably gearing up for some serious summer reading. Whether it's light beach fare - or weightier tomes that draw your interest,surprises abound inside one of Birmingham's most eclectic bookstores. Author Allen Johnson says calling Reed Books an old bookstore is like saying the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel has a good paint job...

How about a haiku showdown for a change of pace? The Southern Fried Poetry Slam is knocking on the door...

And, hip-hop, reggae, funky jam from The Deep End...

I'm Greg Bass and this is Tapestry.

One of the more entertaining concepts in J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter books is that of the port key. Simply stated, a port key is an ordinary object like an old shoe or a flower vase that, when you touch it, magically transports you to another place hundreds or thousands of miles away. Jim Reed's bookstore on South 20th street. in Birmingham is not only filled to the rafters with used books, it's also loaded with items that can transport you back into Alabama's past and, in many cases, back to your own childhood. Take a walk with us through Reed Books: the Museum of Fond Memories.

With all this talk about books, you may be wondering where do stories come from before writers put them on paper? Some would say "memory" or "imagination..."; others would credit "the collective unconscious." But writer Dale Short believes that stories live in an old house somewhere. He knows, because he's been there.

If you've got some stories swimming 'round in your head, or your House, stick with us. In the second half of the program we'll talk with the folks from the 14th Annual Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam. Haiku anyone?

Brush up those metaphors and spit shine the similes...the 14th Annual Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam is just around the corner. This year's event, which runs June 8th through the 10th on Birmingham's Southside, includes open mics, readings, and workshops - all free and open to the public. Plus, the main event, the poetry slam! Organizer Jerri Hardesty talked about the evolution of poetry slams with WBHM's Tanya Ott.

The 14th Annual Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam is June 8th through the 10th at venues around the Five Points area on Birmingham's Southside. We've got details on the Tapestry page of WBHM.org.

To hear the audio portion of the Community Calendar from Tapestry, click here.

Want to know more? Activeculture.info is a one-stop source for finding out what's going on in the Birmingham metro area.

If you don't think you like hip-hop or funky reggae - hold on a minute because Birmingham Band The Deep End might just change your mind. Their infectious beats and fresh rhymes speak of social consciousness and world issues. This is "Machine Rolls On" off of the upcoming album of the same name. The Deep End is a new band - formed this year - but it features lots of veterans. The band went by the name Jive Mob Family for many years until the death of one of the band members. Frontman, Carlito and drummer Jake B. stopped by to talk about the music and the evolution of the band ...
(AUDIO MONTAGE)

The song is Machine Rolls On from the CD of the same name. We've got more of The Deep End's music available for download on the Tapestry page of WBHM.org.

Tapestry is produced by Tanya Ott and Michael Krall. Hunter Bell produces the musician profiles and Francesca Rosko tracks community events. Additional reporting this week from Dale Short. Next week on the program - the challenges of building a massive set on a small stage. I'm Greg Bass, and we'll see you next week.

WBHM is a listener-supported service of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.